The final rule was a result of receiving numerous comments from corporate operators and airplane
manufacturers on the requirements for PIC night takeoff and landing recent flight experience.
It was argued that the requirement to perform required takeoffs and landings in an aircraft
of the same type (if a type rating is required) for all types of aircraft in the same category
and class is not cost effective and provides an unnecessary burden on their pilots. The commenters
requested that an alternative means of compliance for this requirement be granted for their
pilots, taking into consideration the aircraft their pilots operate, their pilots’ high
level of aeronautical experience, and the additional training required of their pilots.

The FAA agreed and published the final rule that revised 14 CFR 61.57 by adding a new paragraph
(e)(3), which establishes an alternative means of compliance to the PIC night takeoff and
landing recent flight experience requirements. This rule neither eliminates nor adds requirements
to the PIC night takeoff and landing currency requirement of 61.57(b), but merely provides
another alternative means for remaining current in night takeoffs and landings.

On September 17, 2003, 61.57(e) was modified by the final rule entitled “Regulation
of Fractional Aircraft Ownership Programs and On-Demand Operations.” The final rule
clarified the existing alternative means of compliance by clearly defining eligibility requirements,
increasing the period of time to maintain landing currency, and extending the alternate means
of compliance to Part 135 operators.

The alternative means of compliance allows a pilot in command of a turbine-powered airplane
(specifically a turbine-powered airplane that is type certificated for more than one pilot
crewmember) to meet the PIC night currency requirements for all the applicable airplane types
on the PIC’s certificate as long as the following provisions are met:

The pilot in command must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with the appropriate
category, class, and type rating for each airplane that is type certificated for more than
one pilot crewmember that the pilot seeks to operate under this alternative;

That pilot must have logged at least 1,500 hours of aeronautical experience as a pilot;

In each airplane that is type certificated for more than one pilot crewmember that the
pilot seeks to operate under this alternative, that pilot must have accomplished and logged
the daytime takeoff and landing recent flight experience of 61.57(a), as the sole manipulator
of the flight controls;

Within the preceding 90 days prior to the operation of that airplane that is type certificated
for more than one pilot crewmember, the pilot must have accomplished and logged at least
15 hours of flight time in the type of airplane that the pilot seeks to operate under this
alternative; and

The pilot has:

a. Accomplished and logged at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop, as the sole
manipulator of the flight controls, in a turbine-powered airplane that requires more than
one pilot crewmember. The pilot must have performed the takeoffs and landings during the
period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise within the preceding
6 months prior to the month of the flight; or

b. Within the preceding 12 months prior to the month of the flight, the pilot must have
completed a training program that is approved under 14 CFR Part 142. The approved training
program must have required and the pilot must have performed, at least 6 takeoffs and 6
landings to a full stop as the sole manipulator of the controls in a flight simulator that
is representative of a turbine-powered airplane that requires more than one pilot crewmember.
The flight simulator's visual system must have been adjusted to represent the period beginning
1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise.